The Orthodox Christians usually use two kinds of prayer rope: those made of pleated wool or its substitutes or those made of leather with wooden elements. The latter are often called “lestvitsa” or “lestovka” from the Russian “lestnitsa” - “ladder” because the shape of this kind of prayer rope reminds of a small ladder. The beads are usually joined by two leather triangles with the cross images on them.
The more general term for these necklaces is Chotki.The use of wool hails from the ancient times when these necklaces were no more than knotted ropes hence the other old Slavonic name of the Chotki - “vervitsa” from “verv” - “string, thread”. But next to all the different Slavonic names for the prayer rope, every Orthodox country also calls them differently to the Russian known terms.
The Chotkis that consist of knots made of wool are more traditional in their looks. The large round knots are easy to run through the fingers during prayer. In the place where the whole string of beads of the necklace is tied together you'll usually find a small tassel, which is used for soaking in holy water. Chotkis with wooden beads are not uncommon, too. They usually have a wooden Orthodox cross in the place where the thread of the rope is tied together. Wood can sometimes be substituted by clay, metal, stone and glass. When just purchased, the new necklace should be taken to the nearest church first to be sanctified by the holy water and prayers in a special colourful ritual.
The number of beads in the Orthodox Christianity may vary from 33 to 300, but 100 is the most common number. Wearing and using Chotki is a must for the Orthodox monks but it is not obligatory for laymen. People out of monkshood should only use it for Jesus prayer.
Despite the modern tendencies for wearing prayer ropes as religious accessory such usage of these necklaces sometimes is frowned upon. You can spot the occasional Chotki bracelets, but you'll hardly ever see an Orthodox Christian person wearing a necklace. These items are believed to get the best and modest usage during use with praying the Jesus prayer.
According to the Orthodox Christian beliefs the Chotkis should not to be paraded, but used during the quiet times of the prayer or sermon. But the trends are changing and you can see more and more Slavonic celebrities wearing them openly.
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